Announcements

The Otsego District Public Library (ODPL) is a vital, vibrant, well-run organization that serves as a valuable resource for the community. Every day, our patrons tell us how proud they are of ODPL. Our mission is to enrich the community by connecting people with information, each other, and the world. We do this through emphasizing customer service, offering creative programming, useful technology, and building a beautiful collection relevant to community needs. You know that because you are one of the library’s 16,303 awesome patrons. Our welcoming staff does an outstanding job, and our Friends of the Library volunteers donate over 1,500 volunteer hours per year to support the library efforts.

The library team truly strives to be fiscally responsible stewards of the public funds.

Highlights include:

• In 2016, ODPL saved the community $250,000 over a ten year span by refinancing the debt bonds, even though the library itself would see no additional funding or savings from this process to pay off the building at a better rate for the community.
• One of the library’s strengths is its rich program offerings: every year the library puts on fantastic programs, like our local business-sponsored Winter Early Literacy Fundraisers (Candyland, Jumanji, Wonderland, Wizard of Oz), Lyrics on the Lawn, Summer Reading Program and more. All of the library programs are planned using under 3% of the library’s operating budget.
• The library has added seven new income sources over the past seven years. We are always actively looking for ways to supplement the library’s income as well as cut costs on expenses.

ODPL is proud of the service and resources we provide the community and the library has been in good stride.

This is our tenth year in our building.

We have several specific requests for community support:

• Add 3^rd Grade Reading Booster Packs: A new collection of tutoring kits that parents and kids can checkout, designed for struggling readers, based on fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and phonics.
• Replace Self-Checkout Machines and Tag-Readers: Our current machines are operating on an old system that is no longer supported.
• Replace Chairs for Computer Stations: Our current chairs are worn from a decade of use and in desperate need of replacement with a cleanable fabric.
• Add Concrete Pad & Fencing for Commercial Trash Bin: We need a receptacle area to house a commercial-size trash bin.
• Add Current Technology: The library would also love to add increased technology offerings similar to the new features at other libraries, such as: Robotics, a Makerspace, 3D Printing, updated Teen Gaming, and Virtual Reality.

We have developed a wish list for smaller items as well. If you would like to gift the library one of our wishes, find a link to our Amazon Wishlist on our website and Facebook Page.

There is so much the library could do with additional revenue from generous community donors.

We have set a goal of fundraising $26,500 from our community supporters. These projects are outside of our regular budget parameters.

Please join with us; you will truly make a difference.

Your support will help position us to continue to provide the quality library materials and facility you love and deserve.

Please consider adding the library to you list of annual giving so that we may preserve our vision to maintain the best library around!

A donation form is found below for your convenience. You can also make a donation in person at the library, over the phone via credit card, or through the PayPal DONATE button on our website homepage. The library is a non-profit, so consult with your tax adviser because your donation is most likely tax deductible! We are happy to send you an acknowledgement receipt for your donation.

Any amount helps. If just 530 patrons gave $50 we would hit our goal. We have heard so many voice their support of the library, and we greatly thank you for your support.

“There’s no place like home!”

Andrea Estelle, Library Director 
Diane DeVries, Assistant Library Director  
Jacqueline Bennett, Board President 
Robin Rowe, Board Vice President 
Nancy Seibert, Board Secretary 
David Goodrich, Board Treasurer 
Laurie Andrus, Board Trustee 
Bart Seelye, Board Trustee

Now, if you are able, we ask for your help.
 Thank you for being a great library patron and for your support of your hometown library!

HOW TO DONATE

• Print the attached Donation Form – Make checks payable to Otsego District Public Library and bring in or mail to: 401 Dix Street, Otsego, MI 49078
• OR Call (269) 694-9690 to make a donation by credit card over the phone
• OR Use the “Donate to Your Library” – PayPal to donate online.

During Library Open Hours

Follow the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard of Oz in our large program room. Bring the whole family to join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, and Toto as they make their way through the land of Oz. The cost to play this family-friendly fundraiser is $1 per person or $5 per family (children 2 and under are free). Proceeds from this event will go toward new toys and literacy-based activities in the Rise & Shine Early Literacy Center.

This event is sponsored by local businesses, so please contact the library if your business would like to sponsor this event. Hopefully you will discover that “there’s no place like home!”

The Friends of the Library are putting together another AMAZING Book Sale for the public to enjoy. All of the money raised at the Book Sale comes back to the library. These funds are used to encourage reading in the early literacy category. The Friends of the Library are also a huge source in funding the Summer Reading Program.

BIG Fall Book Sale 2019 
Thursday, October 17 9 AM – 8 PM
Friday, October 18 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday, October 19 9 AM – 1 PM (Saturday is $1/Bag Day)

The library will be closed for Labor Day Weekend

CLOSED – Saturday, August 31, 2019 – Monday, September 2, 2019

Have a safe and Labor Day Weekend with your family and friends!

The Library Board of Trustees meets on a monthly basis to discuss library business and housekeeping. Meetings are open to the public and include a period of time for patrons to discuss comments and concerns.

Please note that the JULY Board Meeting will take place on THURSDAY, JULY 18 AT 4:30 PM.

Due to Lyrics on the Lawn, the regular Otsego District Library Board Meeting and annual budget hearing will be held on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 AT 5:30 PM. There will be no board meeting on August 15.

(These Meetings usually take place on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM.)

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who purchased books in the library for our 2019 Scholastic Book Fair! Your purchases earned the library $1,861.25 in free Scholastic books for the library! That will help us add many great new titles to our children’s and teen collections!

Another BIG THANK YOU goes out to our Friends of the Library Volunteers for manning the book fair during library hours.

https://otsegolibrary.org/3500-2/